Nintendo DS differences

[LeroyPatrol]

I really don't know anything about these things. My daughter is expressing an interest in one and with xmas coming....
I think I saw one with a larger screen than another model? Which one should I buy? I see these cart things which I think are used for loading multiple games on (copied games)?
Recommendations? When should I buy it from?

See I know nussing about them?

Leroy

[nihonjin]

I am also new to the world of DS consoles but recently bought 2x DSi for my kids.

From what i know the main differences and there may be more:

DS Lite - no camera

DS - has camera

DS LL or Max - has camera and bigger screen

The R4 card you refer to is a card you put into the game slot and you can load a micro sd card into it and load onto it "backed up games". I purchased an 8 gig card and with games averaging around 100mb or less you can fit a lot on them.

Im sure someone more knowledgeable than me will post more info.

[LeroyPatrol]

Thanks for that. What's the i stand for in DSi?

[roguefan99]

From memory it was "internet". The DSi had a few improvements (WPA2, more ram, faster cpu) so that it could have its own implemented browser (there was an add on pack for DSLite that allowed the browser), but it makes no difference for any of the games. The browser is awful, so I couldn't recommend using it if you do get a DSi.

What I would probably get is a DSLite if possible, and then a cart for that. Two reasons, 1st is you can play GBA games if you wish to go back, and secondly you dont have to worry about the kids accidentally upgrading the firmware (which is possible with DSi and XL) and killing the flashcart.

[LeroyPatrol]

Thankyou for that. Just one more question, are all the screen sizes the same?

[Crafty]

Screen sizes get bigger form the DS lite to the DSi to the DSi XL which basically tried to appeal to a different market of adults with a console where size of the console is not as important as the size of the screen. These are for the brain training crowd etc etc...

[loanrangiel]

I bought a dsi for my 7 yo and dslite for 3 year and honestly i should have just saved my money i got another lite for the 7yo, they play all the same games bar a few latest games. You can pickup dslites pretty cheap , i got a couple for $40 each.

[roguefan99]

The screen sizes are different, however, the resolutions are all the same. The lite is slightly smaller than the DSi, so much you would barely notice unless they are side by side.

[urban_s0ulja]

I bought a dsi for my 7 yo and dslite for 3 year and honestly i should have just saved my money i got another lite for the 7yo, they play all the same games bar a few latest games. You can pickup dslites pretty cheap , i got a couple for $40 each.

Really?

After playing DSi and now DSi XL,

No way id go back to a DS Lite.

Maybe okay for a 3 year old, but the larger screen size is definitely a big advantage.

[LeroyPatrol]

Thanks guys for the feedback. My daughter is 6 and I see they come in pink so that may be the color of choice lol

Cheers,
Leroy

[roguefan99]

Really?

After playing DSi and now DSi XL,

No way id go back to a DS Lite.

Maybe okay for a 3 year old, but the larger screen size is definitely a big advantage.

Your getting old Urban, eyes are going . I actually find the XL too big. The problem is that it cant fit in a pocket easily. I play my DSi when I'm out not when I'm at home (I have other options then!)

[loanrangiel]

Really?

After playing DSi and now DSi XL,

No way id go back to a DS Lite.

Maybe okay for a 3 year old, but the larger screen size is definitely a big advantage.

Neglible difference between dsi and dsl, dsixl maybe.

[best4less]

Thanks for that. What's the i stand for in DSi?

I was always lead to believe the i in DSi stands for the camera ( EYE )

My 2 cents LOL

[BillyGoat]

Ok I too are looking at buying one off these things.
6 year old Daughter wants a ds.
Which ones better, I don't know.
Leroy which one did you get.
I thought a Itouch might have been a better option?

[LeroyPatrol]

Ok I too are looking at buying one off these things.
6 year old Daughter wants a ds.
Which ones better, I don't know.
Leroy which one did you get.
I thought a Itouch might have been a better option?

I haven't bought one yet. The other half isn't crazy about the idea.

Leroy

[best4less]

The DSi's are great if you get on of the chips for them

[loanrangiel]

I haven't bought one yet. The other half isn't crazy about the idea.

Leroy

We put it off for as long as we could as we didint want our daughter to be one of those kids sitting in the corner playing the ds all the time and not interacting with others, we have found though that it has been the opposite.
If she mis-behaves it gets confiscated and we set time limits for how long they can play (3 yo has a ds, 7 yo a dsi) so it hasnt been an issue.
Well worth it if they spend a bit of time travelling.

[mkhannah]

My two kids still pull out their old fat DS units from time to time, they have really lasted and for the money they were a godsend on long drives. Still original batteries too. Put the red suit on Leroy and your hand in your pocket

[poison]

I picked up 3x dsi for my boys for xmas. Had a play with 1 of them and they are not too bad.

ATM I have got 1 m3i zero with a 4gb micro sd card and have put games on it and they worked fine on the dsi.

Currently have 2 more m3i zero carts coming they cost $22US each inc post from eachgame.com (previously taobaodo.com) as I already have an 8gb and a 2gb micro sd card.

I am glad I did not go with the ds lite as the camera and net options will be worth it. my boys are 8,6,5 and currently play a gba or my iphone.